THE FISHES OF MALABAR. 
93 
the external and shortest passing from the fourth ray to the body, the second and longest, 
extending from the last nearly as far as the vent. 
Scales—Small and ovoid, with long central furrows. None on the head. 
Lateral line—At first concave; opposite the first dorsal spine it forms a very obtuse angle, 
from whence it gradually and rather irregularly sinks, until opposite the last spine, and then 
proceeds direct to the centre of the caudal. 
The air bladder extends some distance backwards. 
Colours—Summit of head and back of a golden olive, the rest of the head and back of a 
brilliant gold colour. Second dorsal, anal, pectoral, and caudal fins greenish olive; posterior 
margin of the caudal blackish, anterior dorsal, ventrals and posterior anal spines white. Iris golden, 
greenish towards the orbit. After death the golden tint disappears, and there are six or seven 
large oval greyish spots above the lateral line. 
This Chorinemus appears in Malabar about July, and is considered good eating, although 
rather dry, especially the larger fish. 
Grows to three feet in length. 
Habitat—Red Sea, Seas of India, Malaysia, and China, as far as the N. W. coast of Australia, 
also Madagascar. 
* Chorinemus TOL. 
Tol parah, Bussell , pi. 138. 
Chorinemus tol, Guv . & Val. viii. p. 385; Gunther , Catal. ii. p. 473. 
B.vii. D. 7 | Jo. P.17. V.i A. 2 | jL., C. 21. 
Length of head ^ of total length. Height of body T 2 -. 
Its form is more elongated than that of C. lysan; its upper profile descends in a straight line, 
or is even slightly concave. 
The lower jaw is longer than the upper : the maxilla extends posteriorly to beneath the anterior 
margin of the orbit. 
Fins—Pectorals and ventrals of equal length : the second dorsal and anal are elevated ante¬ 
riorly : the caudal lobed. The free spines forming the first dorsal fin are more equal than, and not 
so flat as in the C. lysan. The twelve last rays of the second dorsal and anal are almost free. 
Scales—Very minute, appearing like little points pressed into the skin. 
Lateral line—Is marked by a series of very straight small elevations, and makes an obtuse 
angle above the posterior third of the pectoral. 
Colours—Blue above and silvery over the rest of the body. Four or five small vertically oval 
deep blue spots exist along the lateral fine, the last a little above it opposite the commencement 
of the second dorsal. Fins yellowish, the extremity of the dorsal blackish, and a black spot exists 
on the point of the second dorsal. 
Moderately good for eating; grows to fifteen inches in length. 
Habitat—Seas of India and Malaysia. 
Chorinemus tala. 
Tala parah, Bussell , pi. 140. 
Chorinemus tala, Guv. & Val. viii. p. 377; Gunther , Catal. ii. p. 473. 
